SEC questions and answers

SEC questions and answers

Here's our power poll of the SEC, with the questions -- and answers -- facing each program this week. All times Eastern.

• 1. Alabama (1-0)

How are the Crimson Tide going to slow Texas A&M's 6-foot-5 receiving duo of Mike Evans and Ricky Seals-Jones? Forget Johnny Autograph: The Aggies' perimeter receivers present the tallest challenge for the Tide this week. Call it a hunch, but we believe Nick Saban will have a plan.

Saturday: at Texas A&M, 3:30 (CBS)

• 2. LSU (2-0)

Is LSU really this good? It's been hard not to be overwhelmed by the Tigers, especially offensively, considering they stormed a ranked TCU team with 37 points in the opener and flooded UAB with 56 points and a school-record five TD passes from Zach Mettenberger. LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is the front-runner for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's best assistant coach.

Saturday: vs. Kent State, 7 (ESPNU)

• 3. Texas A&M (2-0)

Are we ready for Johnny Cam? CBS will dedicate a full-time camera on Johnny Manziel this Saturday, following the Heisman Trophy winner all over the field all afternoon in this week's Game of the Century against Alabama. If Texas A&M had paid him half as much attention this offseason, maybe he wouldn't look like such a goofball. Here's another question, just because: How will an Aggies defense that allowed some guy named Timothy "Don't call me Ned" Flanders run for 170 yards be able to slow T.J. Yeldon? That one does not have an apparent answer, however.

Saturday: vs. Alabama, 3:30 (CBS)

• 4. Georgia (1-1, 1-0 SEC)

None this week. Enjoy the down time.

Saturday: Open

• 5. Florida (1-1)

Will the offense find a stride, and more importantly, make the most of one of the nation's best defenses? Florida turned the ball over four times inside the Miami 20 in last Saturday's 21-16 loss to the Hurricanes. The Gators defense allowed just 10 first downs; the Gators offense, however, never was able to take advantage. Back to the drawing board, Coach Boom.

Saturday: Open

• 6. South Carolina (1-1, 0-1)

Who is that guy in Jadeveon Clowney's uniform? Clowney, who still will be one of the first two players picked in the NFL draft next spring, has a very pedestrian six tackles in two games and all of one sack. Those are not Heisman numbers; those are Heimlich numbers that make us all choke. South Carolina's defense even had had more success with Clowney not on the field Saturday against Georgia. Go figure.

Saturday: vs. Vanderbilt, 7 (ESPN)

• 7. Ole Miss (2-0, 1-0)

Will this be the most-watched program on the Longhorn Network ever? There's a good chance since the SEC is involved. Also, when the Rebels roll out of Austin smiling and kicking back a couple of Coca-Colas to celebrate, who will Texas head coach Mack Brown dismiss next week? Dead coach walking. Here's another extra question: When Texas runs Mack Brown, how much will the deep hats and deeper pockets of Longhorn Nation offer Nick Saban to come save the day in Austin?

Saturday: at Texas, 8 (Longhorn Network)

• 8. Tennessee (2-0)

Can the Vols keep up in Oregon? Doubtful. The Ducks fly. Quack, quack. And they can bite. (Side note: A hissing mama duck with some babies in tow can be an intimidating sight; alas, she is no match for a 9-iron, however. Long story.) Oregon scores on average more than three points a minutes. Yes, THREE points a minute. That's crazy good.

Saturday: at Oregon, 3:30 (ABC)

• 9. Auburn (2-0)

When did they start allowing Auburn defenders to tackle again? After a dismal 2012 in which almost every bad defensive mark was reset, the Tigers and new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson look to be flying to the ball and playing hard. Gang, may we present Robinson Therezie, the Auburn safety who goes by "Cadillac" and is the unknown defensive breakout star through the first two weeks of the season.

Saturday: vs. Mississippi State, 7 (ESPN2)

• 10. Arkansas (2-0)

How did the Razorbacks' 10-point win over Stanford last week not get more pub? What? It was over SAM-ford. No way the Hogs beat SAM-ford only 31-21. No way.

Saturday: vs. Southern Miss, 12:21 (WDSI)

• 11. Missouri (2-0)

After two weeks, who had the only two unbeaten SEC East teams being Tennessee and Missouri? Yep, we all did, right? That said, the Tigers handled Toledo last Saturday every bit as convincingly as Florida did the week before. Not sure if that says more about the Tigers or the Gators.

Saturday: Open

• 12. Vanderbilt (1-1, 0-1)

Could Vandy steal one in Columbia? After a heartbreaking loss in the opener, the Commodores crushed Austin peay 38-3 last week. Now they head to Spurrierville to face a Gamecocks team dejected after Saturday's loss at Georgia.

Saturday: at South Carolina, 7 (ESPN)

• 13. Mississippi State (1-1)

Is MSU's offense ready to keep pace against an Auburn defense that has not allowed a TD in 19 possessions? The Bulldogs offense showed that there are miles of difference between Oklahoma State (three points in a season-opening loss) and Alcorn State (51 points last week).

Saturday: at Auburn, 7 (ESPN2)

• 14. Kentucky (1-1)

Would there be more people at the game Saturday if Louisville and Kentucky were playing hoops? If they had each in a 70,000-seat arena, we say yes, there would be more for the Cards-Cats on the hardwood.